Asbestos In Stucco Siding

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.

Asbestos in stucco siding.

The material is quite similar to cement asbestos roof shingles and siding and was produced in sheets of varying thickness typically 1 8 1 4 and dimension depending on its intended use. While modern applications of stucco have no risk of containing asbestos any building constructed between 1940 and 1990 could have asbestos in the plaster. It s found in loose fill attic and wall insulation and there s also asbestos in stucco siding. That said asbestos was used in stucco and drywall as early as 1910 and use continued at a slower rate until at least the early 1980 s.

Asbestos millboard was used as a fire barrier behind and over and around wood stoves coal stoves heating appliances in buildings up to 1978. Stucco remediation james hardie siding. Except keep in mind this is the kind of asbestos that we call cement asbestos because the asbestos is encased in a cement slurry mix that hardens into the form of the tile. Some homes have vermiculite attic insulation that contains asbestos.

Though plaster and stucco containing asbestos are not immediately toxic when the material begins to break down the plaster may release asbestos fibers which you can then inhale into your lungs. Although some people believe that stucco is the building material most likely to contain asbestos many other mixtures used for construction contained this dangerous mineral as well. There is simply no manner of telling without testing. Stucco over old asbestos siding.

You wont have any luck topcoating over the asbestos but it would be best to leave it in place run furring strips layed out similar to a framed wall over it then lath scratch brown coat followed by the stucco topcoat. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. If your house was built or renovated during that time it s a good idea to have it tested. You should wear respiratory protection when you do this because asbestos fibers are very fine.

You will still want to flash it all out similar to a framed sheathed wall including a weep screed at the base. You can look at asbestos pictures and photos of products containing asbestos all day without learning to identify it.